Head to head · updated 5 September 2026

Schenker Zen 30 vs Rainman Portable 12VDC 34L

Zen 30 costs 3.5× less energy per litre (3.7 against 12.7 Wh/L). Portable 12VDC 34L is about $1,402 cheaper on indicative pricing.

SpecZen 30Portable 12VDC 34L
BrandSchenkerRainman
Output30 L/hr26–37 L/hr
Power draw110 W400 W
Energy per litre3.7 Wh/L12.7 Wh/L
Run time for 100 L3.3 h3.2 h
Energy for 100 L367 Wh1,270 Wh
Power source12/24V DC12V DC
ConfigurationModularPortable
Membranes1 × 2.5×21in1 × 40in
Indicative price$6,300$4,898
Efficiency rank1 of 3023 of 30

Highlighted cells mark the better figure on that row alone. Lower is better for energy, run time and price; higher is better for output.

Buy the Zen 30 if…

Your boat runs on solar and every watt-hour is spoken for, because this is the cheaper litre to make; you have no generator and no intention of fitting one.

Get a quote on the Zen 30

Buy the Portable 12VDC 34L if…

You want tanks full in the shortest possible run, or you have a genset that is going to run anyway; the purchase price matters more to you than the running cost; you want to lift the whole thing off the boat between trips.

Get a quote on the Portable 12VDC 34L

Common questions

Which is more efficient, the Zen 30 or the Portable 12VDC 34L?
The Zen 30, at 3.7 watt-hours per litre against 12.7. Over 100 litres a day that is a difference of about 903 Wh.
Which makes more water, the Zen 30 or the Portable 12VDC 34L?
The Portable 12VDC 34L, at 31.5 L/hr against 30. That is 1.1 times the output per hour running.
Which is cheaper?
On indicative pricing the Portable 12VDC 34L at $4,898, about $1,402 less than the other. Both figures exclude freight, duty and installation, and Australian dealer pricing normally reads higher.
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